Las Vegas – There are a few
comparisons between this glittering showplace and the city in which Greg Monroe
grew up, New Orleans and Las Vegas sharing that certain "laissez les bon temps
rouler" vibe.

This week Monroe, a three-year NBA
veteran with the Detroit Pistons, and favorite son of Harvey's Helen Cox High
School, is soaking in not only the atmosphere of this entertainment mecca, but
the surroundings of being included among more than two dozen of the best young
basketball players in the country. He's among those trying to impress the decision makers
of Team USA in hopes of landing a spot on next year's World Cup team as well as
the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympics.

During those days growing up on the
West Bank, Monroe concedes his thoughts sometimes wandered to the heights on
which he now has taken some impressive steps.

"You know, growing up as a
basketball player, there are certain things I believe that every basketball
player, most players, want to do," Monroe said. "You know, playing in the Final
Four, winning an NBA championship and play and win in the Olympics. Right now,
this is a stepping stone. So this is something I of course enjoy being at.

"I mean I've done some USA stuff
before in high school, went to their high school camp. I've played in the Hoops
Summit after my senior year (at Cox) going into college (Georgetown). So I'm familiar with a
lot of people here. I'm familiar with how they want things done. So it's
something that being here, I feel comfortable, but it's definitely something
that I'm very grateful they invited me to. I'm just trying to make the best out
of it."

Securing a permanent spot won't be
easy for Monroe, a sturdy 6-foot-11, 250-pounder who sat front-row center
following Tuesday's practice as U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski brought over his
good friend and former Georgetown coach John Thompson for a little chat with this year's campers.

Monroe sat in rapt attention.

So did his competitors who are also
in search of an inside spot on Team USA. The U.S. roster at this camp included
centers DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, DeAndre Jordan of the Los
Angeles Clippers, Larry Sanders of the Milwaukee Bucks (who sprained an ankle
during Tuesday's practice) as well as Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans
who's viewed by Team USA as a combo forward/center.

Davis' experience, as well as his
versatility and talent, will assuredly land him a spot on next summer's World
Cup roster as well as the Olympics in 2016.

Cousins has been impressive during
this camp, but his mercurial demeanor, which has gotten him into trouble with
the Kings and the NBA at times, could eventually work against him.

During the 2012 Olympics, former
New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler was the only true "5" on the U.S.
roster, with Davis listed as his backup, leaving open the possibility of needed
depth in the future.

"You go down the line, these are
the best young big men in the league, as it is the best young guards, the best
young forwards," Monroe said. "You know, the talent in here as far as younger
guys is the best you're going to find.

"I don't know what those guys (Krzyzewski
and USA basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo) are thinking. But like I say,
everybody believes that (center) is the one place where they have to be better.
So, who knows? You just never know."

Monroe was working this week while
there was some uncertainty about his NBA future in Detroit, where Pistons
president Joe Dumars has taken steps this summer to bring his team back into
the postseason conversation, signing a big wing, Josh Smith, to a $56 million
deal and crowding the front court for Monroe and second-year player Andre
Drummond.

Not to worry, says Monroe, who has
be the subject of possible trade rumors.

"I have a very close relationship,
as do most players who play for the Pistons, with the front office," Monroe
said. "They communicate with us very well. There's always going to be
speculation. People are going to make up stuff, they're going to hear stuff,
and they're going to write it.

"I don't worry about it. I'm very
happy being a Piston and I hope they're very happy with me. As far as I know,
they like me. I think either of us (he or the Pistons) want a change. People
are going to write stuff. I just laugh at it most of the time, because it's
foolish. That's how people get paid nowadays. Guys like us have to live with it
because we can't comment on it. It's going to happen. As long as I know the
truth, I'm fine with it."

Still, with the growing trend, at
least in the NBA, toward smaller ball, Monroe and the Pistons seem to be
working against that inclination, which could definitely enhance his chances on
the U.S. team.

And making a boyhood dream, with
New Orleans roots, come true.

"I'm definitely interested in
getting into (the season) and seeing how we play together, work together, so
we're ready for the season," Monroe said, adding he feels the addition of Smith
into the front-court mix should improve Detroit dramatically. "Most nights,
we're going to be bigger than everyone."